12
community
september
2009
Art in the Woods Day Camp
Thanks to the talent and dedication of the
instructors and a grant from the Columbia County
Cultural Coalition, 25 youth from the Vernonia area
enjoyed a week long arts, music, drama, and dance
camp July 27-31. Friends of the Scout Cabin made
the facility available for the indoor activities, and
Hawkins Park provided the outdoor venue. The Or-
egon Sesquicentennial (Oregon 150) was central to
many of the activities; even the snacks had a pioneer
theme.
The campers learned how to make aprons,
cornhusk dolls, mason bee houses, and Indian tee-
pees. They learned the art of watercolor, origami,
writing with a quill pen, and playing the recorder.
Folk dancing and singing also focused on the Oregon
150 theme. The high school students learned to play
chamber music and developed their Shakespearean
acting skills.
The Friday evening performance by the stu-
dents was excellent and enthusiastically received by
the audience. A chamber music concert included
works by Schubert and two Renaissance pieces. A
scene from “Romeo and Juliet” was ex-
ecuted flawlessly, and a Mozart piano and
violin duet was outstanding. Choral works
included French Canadian and American
folk music plus a special work composed
by Tom Hardy for the Oregon Trail Sesqui-
centennial in 1993. The younger children
played four recorder pieces including the
main theme from Beethoven’s 9 th Sym-
phony (“Ode to Joy.”) The entire compa-
ny ended the evening with a rousing song
from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Pirates of
Penzance.”
The Art in the Woods Camp was ably led by
Carol Pelster, founder and camp administrator. The
instructors were camp co-founder Rachel Hardy, Pam
Monnin, Susan Ely, Katie Organ, Shellee Jole, Adam
Whiting, Alberta Hardy, Ethan Hardy, and Caleb Har-
dy. This is the second year the camp has been held.
The Columbia County Cultural Coalition is
this county’s partner in the Oregon Cultural Trust
(OCT). OCT raises funds for Oregon cultural activi-
ties through the sale of special license plates and pub-
lic donations which can provide a tax credit to donors.
For more information on the Trust, visit its website at
www.culturaltrust.org.
Sherlock Holmes Visits the Vernonia Grange
The Greenleaf Acting Company presented two works
of Victorian theater during this year’s Jamboree on
the Vernonia Grange stage. On Friday evening and
Saturday afternoon, this talented group of young ac-
tors presented two plays. The curtain-opener was a
one act comedy, “Phoebe Louise,” by Bernard Sobel.
It was followed by a Sherlock Holmes play, “The
Mystery of the Speckled Band,” based on the Sir Ar-
thur Conan Doyle short story that was adapted and
directed by Alberta Hardy. The settings were appro-
priately Victorian, and the hand-made costumes were
outstanding. Caleb Hardy was an excellent Sherlock
Holmes with his brother Ethan equally adept as Dr.
Watson. The other cast members, all from three local
families, performed admira-
bly: Hailey and Sierra Jole;
Juliana, Maria and Anthony
Pelster; and Abraham, Mar-
garet, Elinore, Alberta, Boaz,
and Benedicta Hardy. The
Greenleaf Acting Company
generously donated a quarter
of the proceeds to the Verno-
nia Grange in appreciation
for the use of the hall.
Child Care Resource and Referral
Opens New Office in St. Helens
Beginning July 1, 2009, Child
Care Resource & Referral in Washington
County and Columbia County became
one service delivery area. In addition to
a Hillsboro site in Washington County,
an office is now open in Saint Helens to
serve parents and child care providers in
Columbia County. The lead agency for
this new service delivery area is Com-
munity Action in Washington County.
Child Care Resource & Referral
helps families with child care referrals
and provides resources to assist parents in
choosing quality child care. The program
also supports providers with training and
professional development. In 2007-2008,
Community Action’s Child Care Resource
& Referral in Washington County helped
1,336 families access quality, affordable
child care and more than 1,500 provid-
ers participated in 12,946 hours of train-
ing in early childhood development. Child
Care Resource & Referral services are
available to families of all income levels.
“Combining Washington County
and Columbia County Child Care Re-
source & Referral programs into one
service district will allow resources
to be streamlined while retaining full
access in both counties,” said Deb-
bie Burrows, Program Coordinator.
The new Columbia County of-
fice of Child Care Resource & Refer-
ral is located inside the Employment
Department at 500 N Columbia River
Hwy., Saint Helens. For support services
and information about monthly training
opportunities, child care providers in
Columbia County can call Elaine Par-
sons at 503-734-5877. To be included
in the program’s free provider referral
database, providers can call 971-223-
6100, or the toll free number 800-624-
9516. Parents in Columbia County and
Washington County seeking free child
care referrals and information about
quality care can call the same numbers.
More information about Child
Care Resource & Referral, can be found
at: www.communityaction4u.org/ccrr.
Senior Center Activities
For September 2009
Five Area Luncheon: Held in Clatskanie this month on
September 28th. Join seniors from throughout Columbia
County for this monthly gathering hosted by a different
community Senior Center each month.
AARP Safe Driving Class: Anyone interested call Karen
Miller, Senior Services at the Vernonia Senior Center 603-
429-9112.
Connie’s Fabulous Breakfasts: Fabulous breakfasts are
available to the public on Fridays for a cost of only $3.
The event happens at the Senior Center (446 Bridge Street)
from 7:00 to 9:00 AM each Friday. Meal price includes
a beverage, too. Enter through the side, parking lot door.
What a deal!
Week Day Lunches: The Vernonia Senior Center offers
nutritious and tasty lunches each weekday for only $3.
These are available to the public, not just Senior Citizens.
(Mealtime is noon; late arrivals may not be served.) You
can reserve your lunch by calling by 11:15 AM, or further
in advance if possible, to assist the cooks as they prepare
the day’s meals.
Maple Bars available locally!: Connie King, the cook
at the Senior Center, is making maple bars each day. The
maple bars are available to the public, too, and only cost $1
each. Availability is subject to quantity on hand. You can
assure yourself of a good supply by pre-ordering them di-
rectly from Connie by calling the Senior Center (503-429-
3912) any week day, from 7:00 AM-3:00 PM. Please allow
one day lead time for larger orders. The Center’s front door
opens at 9:00, but the side parking lot door opens at 7:00.
Ah, sweet treats!
Thrift Store: Bargain prices can be found in Vernonia’s
Senior Center in their Thrift Store. The retail store is open
Monday through Friday, from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM. The
Thrift Store provides funds for he Senior Center’s facility
and its many activities. Donations can also be dropped off
during those same hours, and donated clothes need to be
clean and in good condition so they are “sales ready”. Buy
locally and support your local Senior Center.
Drop-offs only during store hours, please.
Membership Dues: Another way to support Vernonia’s
Senior Center is to pay the $10 annual membership dues.
Checks may be mailed or dropped off at the Senior Center.
